Patent US3779278A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3779278A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Faucet
Assignee: U S Tap Inc
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Filing: 1971-09-21
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Granted: 1973-12-18
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Expires: 1991-09-21
Abstract
Abstract A faucet including a housing having hot and cold water inlets and a spout portion. A first outlet is formed in the spout portion for directing water from the faucet to a sink or lavatory, and a second outlet is formed in the housing at a position remote from the first outlet for directing the water to a tub or shower. A diverter tube has one end supported in the housing and communicating with the second outlet with its other end spaced from the first outlet. A diverter valve recess is formed in the spout and a diverter valve assembly is mounted in the recess for controlling communication between the hot and cold water inlets and either the diverter tube or the first outlet so that actuation of the diverter valve determines whether or not water flows from the first or second outlets.
Inventors
- 👤 L Hill
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 19:27
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16K; F16K11/00; F16K11/02; F16K11/04; F16K11/044; F16K11/0445; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/8593; Y10T137/86493; Y10T137/86879; Y10T137/86895; Y10T137/87249; Y10T137/87571; Y10T137/87676; Y10T137/87684; Y10T137/877; Y10T137/87901
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
398 words
A faucet comprising: a housing having fluid inlet means and a spout portion projecting from said housing; a first outlet in said spout portion; a second outlet in said housing remote from said first outlet; means defining a diverter tube support in said housing; a diverter tube having one end supported in said diverter tube support, said diverter tube extending from said support substantially in coaxial relationship with said spout; means defining a passage connecting said one end of said diverter tube with said second outlet; a diverter valve recess in the end of said spout portion remote from said housing, said diverter valve recess being spaced from the other end of said diverter tube and in substantial coaxial relationship therewith; and diverter valve means mounted in said diverter valve recess having a first position permitting fluid communication between said fluid inlet means and the other end of said diverter tube while simultaneously blocking fluid communication between said fluid inlet means and said first outlet, and a second position permitting fluid communication between said inlet means and said first outlet while simultaneously blocking fluid communication between said inlet means and said diverter tube; said diverter valve means comprising a diverter valve body received in said diverter valve recess, and a movable diverter valve element controlling flow between said fluid inlet means and said first and second outlets; said valve body having an inner end spaced from said other end of said diverter tube and a spout outlet passage formed therein providing communication between said inner end and said first outlet, said valve element being operable to close said passage in the first position of said diverter valve means, and operable to close said other end of said diverter tube in the second position of said diverter valve means; said valve body comprising a sleeve member with an axial bore therethrough with a cross-port in the wall of said sleeve member defining said spout outlet passage; and further including a stem on said valve element extending through said axial bore, said stem having an enlarged outer portion spaced from said valve element and engaging the wall of said axial bore on the side of said crossport opposite said valve element in both positions of said valve element, and a reduced inner portion extending between said valve element and said outer portion and spaced from the wall of said bore.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
398 words
A faucet comprising: a housing having fluid inlet means and a spout portion projecting from said housing; a first outlet in said spout portion; a second outlet in said housing remote from said first outlet; means defining a diverter tube support in said housing; a diverter tube having one end supported in said diverter tube support, said diverter tube extending from said support substantially in coaxial relationship with said spout; means defining a passage connecting said one end of said diverter tube with said second outlet; a diverter valve recess in the end of said spout portion remote from said housing, said diverter valve recess being spaced from the other end of said diverter tube and in substantial coaxial relationship therewith; and diverter valve means mounted in said diverter valve recess having a first position permitting fluid communication between said fluid inlet means and the other end of said diverter tube while simultaneously blocking fluid communication between said fluid inlet means and said first outlet, and a second position permitting fluid communication between said inlet means and said first outlet while simultaneously blocking fluid communication between said inlet means and said diverter tube; said diverter valve means comprising a diverter valve body received in said diverter valve recess, and a movable diverter valve element controlling flow between said fluid inlet means and said first and second outlets; said valve body having an inner end spaced from said other end of said diverter tube and a spout outlet passage formed therein providing communication between said inner end and said first outlet, said valve element being operable to close said passage in the first position of said diverter valve means, and operable to close said other end of said diverter tube in the second position of said diverter valve means; said valve body comprising a sleeve member with an axial bore therethrough with a cross-port in the wall of said sleeve member defining said spout outlet passage; and further including a stem on said valve element extending through said axial bore, said stem having an enlarged outer portion spaced from said valve element and engaging the wall of said axial bore on the side of said crossport opposite said valve element in both positions of said valve element, and a reduced inner portion extending between said valve element and said outer portion and spaced from the wall of said bore.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
A faucet as claimed in claim 1 including an abutment in said spout portion, and an elastomeric O-ring received between said abutment and said inner end of said valve body.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A faucet as claimed in claim 2 wherein said valve element includes an outwardly projecting peripheral flange engageable with said O-ring in the first position of said diverter valve means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
53 words
A faucet as claimed in claim 3 wherein said valve element includes a diverter tube control portion on the opposite side of said peripheral flange from said sleeve, said diverter tube control portion being operable to close said other end of said diverter tube in the second position of said diverter valve means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
54 words
A faucet as claimed in claim 4 wherein said diverter tube control portion comprises a cylindrical projection which is received in said diverter tube in the second position of said diverter valve means and which is spaced from said other end of said diverter tube in the first position of said diverter valve means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
A faucet as claimed in claim 5 including a groove in said diverter tube control portion, and a diverter tube controlling elastomeric O-ring mounted in said groove and sealingly engageable with said diverter tube in said second position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
55 words
A faucet as claimed in claim 6 wherein said valve element includes a sleeve control portion on the opposite side of said peripheral flange from said diverter tube control portion, said sleeve control portion being received in said axial bore in said first position and being spaced from said valve body in said second position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
A faucet as claimed in claim 7 including a groove in said outer portion of said stem and a stem sealing elastomeric O-ring mounted therein in sealing engagement with said axial bore.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
A faucet as claimed in claim 8 including a groove in said sleeve member near the outer end thereof, and a sleeve sealing elastomeric O-ring mounted therein in sealing engagement with said diverter valve recess.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
A faucet as claimed in claim 9 including retaining means mounted on said spout portion and engaging the outer end of said sleeve member for retaining said diverter valve means in said diverter valve recess.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
A faucet as claimed in claim 10 wherein said retaining means comprises a set screw threadedly mounted in said spout portion.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
A faucet as claimed in claim 11 further including an operating knob mounted on the outer end of said stem.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
A faucet as claimed in claim 1 wherein said inlet means comprises a cold water inlet and a hot water inlet.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
68 words
A faucet as claimed in claim 13 including a mixing chamber in said housing; a cold water valve controlling communication between said cold water inlet and said mixing chamber; and a hot water controlling communication between said hot water inlet and said mixing chamber; said diverter valve means selectively controlling communication between said mixing chamber and said first outlet, and between said mixing chamber and said diverter tube.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-12-17 | 1977-06-18 | 1977-12-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-17 | 1981-06-18 | 1981-12-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-17 | 1985-06-18 | 1985-12-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |